Ghanaian blazes trail as first female black neurosurgeon resident at Johns Hopkins

Johns Hopkins has first black female neurosurgeon resident –

CNN/Alexandra Larkin

Nancy Abu-Bonsrah and her husband, Kwabena Yamoah, celebrate her match with Johns Hopkins Hospital for a neurosurgical residency.

(CNN)In the 30 years that Johns Hopkins School of Medicine’s neurosurgical department has accepted residents, there has never been a black woman in the ranks.

Now, Nancy Abu-Bonsrah is making history.

The prestigious program accepts just two to five residents, and is ranked second in the country. Among its most notable alumni: Dr. Ben Carson, who is now the United States secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

“I am very much interested in providing medical care in underserved settings, specifically surgical care,” Abu-Bonsrah said in a statement. “I hope to be able to go back to Ghana over the course of my career to help in building sustainable surgical infrastructure.”

Abu-Bonsrah lived in Ghana until she was 15, and also attended Johns Hopkins medical school.

FROM HER FACEBOOK PAGE 

17 March at 17:17 ·

What a way to begin the Sabbath! I still haven’t processed it yet but this is such an honor and a privilege to join the department at Hopkins to begin this next phase of my career. I’m so fortunate to have the continued support of my husband, family, friends and mentors. Kwabena and I are excited for what’s ahead! #match2017 #glorytoGod #wemadeit#sevenmoreyears #Neurosurgery #firstfemaleAAatHopkins

Way to go, young lady! Congratulations to you, your family, Ghana, Nigeria’s little neighbor to the West that has always punched way above its weight, and of course, to the Motherland.  – TOLA.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017. 4:03 p.m. [GMT]